Rathswohl v Court [2020] NSWSC 1490

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Rathswohl v Court [2020] NSWSC 1490 Hearing dates: 19-22 October 2020 Date of orders: 22 October 2020 Decision date: 23 October 2020 Jurisdiction: Equity Before: Rees J Decision: Admit mobile phone recording of testator made without consent. Catchwords: EVIDENCE – admissibility of conversation recorded without consent – s 7 Surveillance Devices Act 2007 (NSW) – whether recording "reasonably necessary for the protection of the lawful interests" of the daughter – review of case law at [9]-[34] – summary of principles at [35] – warnings at [44]-[47] Legislation Cited: Crimes (Surveillance Devices) Act 2010 (ACT), ss 4(3)(b)(i), 11 Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), ss 128, 138 Listening Devices Act 1984 (NSW) Succession Act 2006 (NSW), ss 59, 100 Surveillance Devices Act 2007 (NSW), ss 4, 7(1)(b), 7(3)(b)(i) Cases Cited: Alliance Craton Explorer Pty Ltd v Quasar Resources Ltd [2010] SASC 266 Arcaba v K & K Real Estate Pty Limited [2016] NSWSC 1793 Chao v Chao [2008] NSWSC 584 Dong v Song (2018) 331 FLR 326; [2018] ACTSC 82 DW v R (2014) 239 A Crim R 192; [2014] NSWCCA 28 Gawley & Bass (2016) 313 FLR 346; (2016) 55 Fam LR 396; [2016] FCCA 1955 Georgiou Building Pty Ltd v Perrinepod Pty Ltd (2012) 86 ACSR 713; [2012] WASC 72 Groom v Police (2015) 252 A Crim R 332; [2015] SASC 101 Latham v Latham [2008] FamCA 877 Levy v Bablis [2013] NSWCA 28 Metz Holdings Pty Ltd v Simmac Pty Ltd (No 1) (2011) 193 FCR 195; [2011] FCA 263 Metz Holdings Pty Ltd v Simmac Pty Ltd (No 2) [2011] FCA 981 Nanosecond Corporation Pty Ltd v Glen Carron Pty Ltd (2018) 132 SASR 63; [2018] SASC 116 R v EP [2019] ACTSC 89 R v Le (2004) 60 NSWLR 108; [2004] NSWCCA 82 RRG Nominees Pty Ltd v Visible Temporary Fencing Australia Pty Ltd (No 3) [2018] FCA 404 Sepulveda v R (2006) 167 A Crim R 108; [2006] NSWCCA 379 Thomas v Nash (2010) 107 SASR 309; [2010] SASC 153 Violi v Berrivale Orchards Ltd (2000) 99 FCR 580; (2000) 173 ALR 518; [2000] FCA 797 Texts Cited: Listening Devices Bill 1984 Category: Procedural and other rulings Parties: Robert Rathswohl (Plaintiff) Yvette Court (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr L Ellison SC / Mr B Searson (Plaintiff) Mr S Reuben (Defendant)